Cellulose nanomaterials

The paper industry is a traditional and mature industrial sector. It plays a decisive role in the development of the forest and timber industries. It should therefore be considered a strategic sector of industry, as it contributes to regional development and, in part, to environmental protection. Despite the emergence of new writing and reading media, such as electronic documents and digital paper, paper consumption continues to grow. This is, of course, linked to the fact that paper can be made from a variety of plant species, some of which can be grown in advantageous conditions in certain parts of the world, close to consumers. Relocations are continuing, not only to Asia, but also to South America and within Europe itself. Traditional forestry sectors are being hit hard by growing competition from emerging countries. However, the situation of the printing and paper industries, traditionally located in the USA, Canada and Northern Europe, is delicate, and the difficulties are only worsening. It is therefore necessary to revive the forestry sectors by enabling a more diversified use of paper fibers. The development and production of high value-added materials is therefore crucial to the survival of these industries. The emergence of nanosciences and nanotechnologies, and the craze generated by them, opens the way to new niche markets for the forestry sector, particularly by enabling the creation of new materials and devices.

The particular morphology of lignocellulosic fibers makes it possible to extract nano-sized particles. This material, sometimes referred to as "nanocellulose", has been attracting growing interest from the scientific community in recent years, and the emergence of new research groups augurs an acceleration in discoveries. Industrial production has now become a reality, and many paper industries have turned their attention to this promising avenue. The initial focus of research was on reinforced papers and packaging, but nanocellulose has a much wider range of qualities and offers the prospect of almost limitless applications in sectors in search of the infinitely small.

This article begins by presenting the microstructure of cellulose fibers. Strategies for extracting nano-sized particles by mechanical or chemical means are then discussed, along with the characteristics of aqueous suspensions and the morphology of the resulting nanoparticles. Finally, the potential applications of these cellulosic nanomaterials and the markets that could be impacted by their specific characteristics are briefly discussed.